Final 2002 Scouting Report: Pitcher, Scott Kazmir

Calvin Young

09/17/2002

Scott Kazmir, the Mets first selection in the 2002 draft, hails from Cypress Falls - a suburb of Houston Texas. Kazmir was projected to be the third selection of the first round, but fell to the Mets at 15 because of his size and an anticipated excessive bonus request. Kazmir and teammate Clint Evert became the fourth pair of HS teammates to be taken in the first round of the draft.

BaseballAmerica named him their high school player of the year based upon his 11-2 record, 0.37 ERA, and 175 K in 75 innings. He issued only 19 walks and allowed 19 hits. Kazmir debuted with Brooklyn rather than Kingsport the normal first port of call for a high school prospects. Kazmir impressed with 5H, 34 K and 7 BB in 18 IP.

COMMENTS

The Mets system has a number of left handed pitching prospects. With Bacsik promoted to the Mets, the farm system continues to demonstrate good depth with left-handed SP prospects.

1. Kazmir projects to become a front end starter. Kazmir's durability has been questioned due to his height and weight. Otherwise, he has the makings of a top pitcher.

2. While Bacsik projects to a #5 SP or long RP/spot SP, there is room for improvement. The most likely improvements in repetoire would be from changing speeds on his CB or on his CU. If Bascik can learn to change speeds on his CB, then his ceiling would be a #4 SP or better. Jaime Moyer learned to change speeds on his CU and as a result he became a front-end SP. Only, Omar Daal also changes speeds on his CU. Historically, Stu Miller and Doug Jones relied heavily on changing speeds on their CU to become effective RPs. If does both, then a front end starter is possible. For now, I'd leave the #5 or long RP/spot SP projection.

3. Neal Musser completed a rehab assignment at Brooklyn and returned to St. Lucie. He was having an excellent season until a foot injury sidelined him. He's added weight during the off-season and could move quickly through the system if he can remain healthy.

4. Lenny DiNardo is still recovering from a tired arm and is on a severe pitch limit constraint. He needs to throw more strikes to be successful. With his extensive repetoire, he could move very quickly through the system.

5. Ross Peeples is an end of the rotation SP with his work ethic.

6. Yunior Cabrera is starting at Brooklyn. This is Cabrera's 6th season in the Mets farm system and he has spent precious little time above short season leagues. For the most part, Cabrera has been a RP. Thus, the Mets likely are trying to fast track him by starting him. The 22-year old Cabrera throws an excellent CB and should add 2 mph to his FB and reach 90-91 mph. He has good control of both pitches and should move quickly through the system when he returns to the bullpen.

7. Jayson Weir and Ryan Danly could both return to starting after a stint in the bullpen.

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